KB series engine plant opened by Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki’s much anticipated next-generation KB series engine will roll out of its stables and would be a permanent feature in the redesigned versions of the Suzuki Alto.

The new plant that will produce the new KB series engines has been opened by the car maker and it is expected that the automotive company might supply the engine for the Nissan Pixo variant also on an OEM basis. The new KB engine plant would be part of Maruti Suzuki’s fully integrated manufacturing facility at Gurgaon and would boast of an annual capacity of 240,000 engines.

The new KB series petrol engine from Maruti Suzuki will be a three-cylinder, 998cc engine with distributor-less ignition and dedicated plug top coils, high pressure semi-return fuel system and advanced injectors for superior atomization. KB series engines will be made in such a way that they comply with the Indian BS III emission laws. It will also be made sure that they will adhere to the Euro V standard in vehicles that are to be exported to European markets. It is expected that the new series of engines will be introduced on different models from the Mruti Suzuki stables over the next five year period. While the redesigned Alto exports to Europe are expected to start in the beginning of 2009, Nissan is likely to start export of its Pixos in time for the next spring season in that region.

Maruti Suzuki, in fact, had been the first company to introduce fuel-efficient vehicles in India in year 1983. The latest KB series engine is a result of its continuos upgrade for new technologies and is expected to be a highly fuel-efficient product which would strive at returning superlative performance. According to the company, the new engines will have all in them to take engine technology to the next level in the country.

Marti Suzuki wants to make the engine by putting to use automated in-line layout of casting, machining and assembly. It would adhere to global manufacturing best practices that include cold testing and fully online automated checks to make sure that quality is not tampered with.